DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
VALUE ADDED COURSES-II
Course Name: Introductory Course on Ornamental Fish Culture and Aquarium Management
Offered for undergraduate students – Semester V & VI
Course code-ZYVAC02
Objectives 30 Hours
MODULE 1: Introduction to ornamental fish culture
Introduction to ornamental fishes; ornamental fish keeping and culture and their commercial importance; Major ornamental fish species of India – indigenous and exotic with special reference to Kerala; ornamental plants; Ornamental fish trade.
MODULE 2: Setting up of Aquariums
Principles of setting up and maintenance of aquaria: Construction of aquarium. Aquarium accessories – aerators, filters, skimmers, chillers, lighting, decorates, etc. Latest trends in aquarium tanks.
MODULE 3: Transportation of ornamental fishes and quarantine measures
Packaging, transportation and marketing of aquarium fishes; Anaesthetics used in the trade. Prophylaxis and quarantine; Water quality management; Common diseases of aquarium fishes and their management.
MODULE 4: Breeding and rearing of ornamental fishes
Breeding and seed production of common ornamental fishes; Construction of breeding tanks; Larval rearing; Commercial farming technologies; Indigenous ornamental fishes and their culture.
MODULE 5: Nutrition of ornamental fishes
Feeding habits and nutrition of ornamental fishes, feed formulation, pellatization and preparation of different types of supplementary feeds, floating pellets and sinking pellets. Use of live fish feeds; Artemia, infusoria, rotifer culture. Use of pigments for colour enhancement.
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